Off to a bad start

[tachycardiac]

Hello everyone,
I'm new to saltwater and have been reading threads here quite a lot. Unfortunately, I believe I have gotten myself in over my head.
For starters my tank is a 25g IM lagoon. I turned pumps on in early April with first inhabitants in mid May(5 months). Dry marco rock and live sand.

Starting about a month back I was starting to see hair algae sprouting around the tank, around the same time Coralline started to replace the green film algae on the rocks. Quickly followed by red cyano slime, or at least I assume that's what it is. Starting about two weeks ago it began ramping up rapidly to the point it's out of control. It's covering most of the sand with cyano and a large portion of rock along with hair algae growing on the few zoanthids I have and some of the snails. This coincides with my Nitrate levels nosediving from floating around 5-7ppm in August and prior to undetectable on my last two tests (last Thursday and Today). Water changes 5g every Friday though I skipped the last one due to low nitrates.

Early last week, I reduced my lighting by two hours and from 60% intensity to 40%. Grow with Glow preset on AI blades. They now come on at 9am ramp up till 10am and dim down starting at 3pm till off at 4pm. I have moved my Ecotech MP10 to try to create more turbulence across the rock and increased it's speed.

Despite my efforts, this morning is the worst it's been possibly because no WC on Friday? Cyano covering almost all the sand and about 50% of the rock. Unfortunately, I didn't think to take a photo before I tried to remove a lot of it.

How bad is this problem? Any advice is appreciated! I can provide more info if needed. I apologize if I've given too much already.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Welcome to your new home for saltwater reef aquarium resources and fun! Welcome to the family! :D

 

[vetteguy53081]

W E L C O M E !!

 

[NyteRyder1]

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello everyone,
I'm new to saltwater and have been reading threads here quite a lot. Unfortunately, I believe I have gotten myself in over my head.
For starters my tank is a 25g IM lagoon. I turned pumps on in early April with first inhabitants in mid May(5 months). Dry marco rock and live sand.

Starting about a month back I was starting to see hair algae sprouting around the tank, around the same time Coralline started to replace the green film algae on the rocks. Quickly followed by red cyano slime, or at least I assume that's what it is. Starting about two weeks ago it began ramping up rapidly to the point it's out of control. It's covering most of the sand with cyano and a large portion of rock along with hair algae growing on the few zoanthids I have and some of the snails. This coincides with my Nitrate levels nosediving from floating around 5-7ppm in August and prior to undetectable on my last two tests (last Thursday and Today). Water changes 5g every Friday though I skipped the last one due to low nitrates.

Early last week, I reduced my lighting by two hours and from 60% intensity to 40%. Grow with Glow preset on AI blades. They now come on at 9am ramp up till 10am and dim down starting at 3pm till off at 4pm. I have moved my Ecotech MP10 to try to create more turbulence across the rock and increased it's speed.

Despite my efforts, this morning is the worst it's been possibly because no WC on Friday? Cyano covering almost all the sand and about 50% of the rock. Unfortunately, I didn't think to take a photo before I tried to remove a lot of it.

How bad is this problem? Any advice is appreciated! I can provide more info if needed. I apologize if I've given too much already.

tHIS IS OFTEN CAUSED BY LACK OF WATER MOVEMENT, USE OF TAP WATER AND TANK TOO CLOSE TO WINDOW OR AS WELL AS pHOS LEVEL ELEVATED

 

[Baldyreef]

welcome to reef2reef!

Hello everyone,
I'm new to saltwater and have been reading threads here quite a lot. Unfortunately, I believe I have gotten myself in over my head.
For starters my tank is a 25g IM lagoon. I turned pumps on in early April with first inhabitants in mid May(5 months). Dry marco rock and live sand.

Starting about a month back I was starting to see hair algae sprouting around the tank, around the same time Coralline started to replace the green film algae on the rocks. Quickly followed by red cyano slime, or at least I assume that's what it is. Starting about two weeks ago it began ramping up rapidly to the point it's out of control. It's covering most of the sand with cyano and a large portion of rock along with hair algae growing on the few zoanthids I have and some of the snails. This coincides with my Nitrate levels nosediving from floating around 5-7ppm in August and prior to undetectable on my last two tests (last Thursday and Today). Water changes 5g every Friday though I skipped the last one due to low nitrates.

Early last week, I reduced my lighting by two hours and from 60% intensity to 40%. Grow with Glow preset on AI blades. They now come on at 9am ramp up till 10am and dim down starting at 3pm till off at 4pm. I have moved my Ecotech MP10 to try to create more turbulence across the rock and increased it's speed.

Despite my efforts, this morning is the worst it's been possibly because no WC on Friday? Cyano covering almost all the sand and about 50% of the rock. Unfortunately, I didn't think to take a photo before I tried to remove a lot of it.

How bad is this problem? Any advice is appreciated! I can provide more info if needed. I apologize if I've given too much already.

welcome to reef2reef!
what are your phosphates at?
it seems like your tank is going through its ugly stage which is a normal process of any reef tank, is the hair algae still an issue? both cyano and hair algae can be gotten rid of faster with manual removal and keeping phosphates prevent it from coming back even more
Edit: vetteguy made a good point that flow plays a big part in the cyano issue

 

[exnisstech]

Welcome and sorry your struggling. Dry rock startups have been a challenge for me so I always add some or all live rock these days. Dry rock always ended up as a battle for the first year or so when I did it. Cuc, manual removal and patience is the only thing that that's worked for me.

PS. And keeping N and P detectable. I've only had algae problems in tanks with N and P at or near zero. People say it's because the algae is consuming it all but I don't buy that. I have a tank with 50+ nitrate and phosphate 0.4 - 0.9+ and have never had nuisance algae in the tank, only my low nutrient tanks have been a problem.

 

[tachycardiac]

welcome to reef2reef!

welcome to reef2reef!
what are your phosphates at?
it seems like your tank is going through its ugly stage which is a normal process of any reef tank, is the hair algae still an issue? both cyano and hair algae can be gotten rid of faster with manual removal and keeping phosphates prevent it from coming back even more
Edit: vetteguy made a good point that flow plays a big part in the cyano issue

Thanks Baldyreef,
Phosphates stable at .04ppm for about 6 weeks. As far as hair algae I'm not sure. There is still some attached to zoanthid frags and snail shells that I have been afraid to try too hard to remove, new growth has seemingly slowed.

 

[Baldyreef]

Thanks Baldyreef,
Phosphates stable at .04ppm for about 6 weeks. As far as hair algae I'm not sure. There is still some attached to zoanthid frags and snail shells that I have been afraid to try too hard to remove, new growth has seemingly slowed.

sounds like its definitely ramping down for you as far as a hair algae, for the cyano like vetteguy and exnisstech said manual removal and patience is key and of course flow, best of luck hope it goes fast for you.
happy reefing!

 

[tachycardiac]

tHIS IS OFTEN CAUSED BY LACK OF WATER MOVEMENT, USE OF TAP WATER AND TANK TOO CLOSE TO WINDOW OR AS WELL AS pHOS LEVEL ELEVATED

Thank you,
I will continue to monitor and adjust the flow around the tank to see if I can find a happy configuration. The tank is in a room with a lot of natural light though not directly near any windows. I'll see what I can do to try to filter that light more. I do use RO/DI to fill but I will check the PPM before my next change maybe my media is getting to its end.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thank you,
I will continue to monitor and adjust the flow around the tank to see if I can find a happy configuration. The tank is in a room with a lot of natural light though not directly near any windows. I'll see what I can do to try to filter that light more. I do use RO/DI to fill but I will check the PPM before my next change maybe my media is getting to its end.

Even indirect light will be a cause

 

[Nano_Man]

Welcome to r2r
And keep going. Test nitrate and phosphate Even if you get low reading your algae could be consuming it . You could do a total black out for 7 days no lights and cover the front glass so no day light . You could remove the rock and get a toothbrush and manual removed it . Get plenty of clean up crew for grazing on your rocks ect turbo snails and hermit crabs.

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to Reef2Reef

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Luckily its a small tank so that until you do figure it out, you can manually remove rock and scrub it (unless the scape is all glued together). I recommend testing your phosphates with a Hanna ULR (713 I believe).

I used a little dry rock in my first tank and it raised up my phosphate for a bit.

Just remember, 90+% of people here deal with the ugly stage for a good year or so before their tank stabilizes. Live sand from the ocean and all live rock are the best ways to start a new tank IMO.

 

[NJHC]

Hello everyone,
I'm new to saltwater and have been reading threads here quite a lot. Unfortunately, I believe I have gotten myself in over my head.
For starters my tank is a 25g IM lagoon. I turned pumps on in early April with first inhabitants in mid May(5 months). Dry marco rock and live sand.

Starting about a month back I was starting to see hair algae sprouting around the tank, around the same time Coralline started to replace the green film algae on the rocks. Quickly followed by red cyano slime, or at least I assume that's what it is. Starting about two weeks ago it began ramping up rapidly to the point it's out of control. It's covering most of the sand with cyano and a large portion of rock along with hair algae growing on the few zoanthids I have and some of the snails. This coincides with my Nitrate levels nosediving from floating around 5-7ppm in August and prior to undetectable on my last two tests (last Thursday and Today). Water changes 5g every Friday though I skipped the last one due to low nitrates.

Early last week, I reduced my lighting by two hours and from 60% intensity to 40%. Grow with Glow preset on AI blades. They now come on at 9am ramp up till 10am and dim down starting at 3pm till off at 4pm. I have moved my Ecotech MP10 to try to create more turbulence across the rock and increased it's speed.

Despite my efforts, this morning is the worst it's been possibly because no WC on Friday? Cyano covering almost all the sand and about 50% of the rock. Unfortunately, I didn't think to take a photo before I tried to remove a lot of it.

How bad is this problem? Any advice is appreciated! I can provide more info if needed. I apologize if I've given too much already.

Where are you getting your water from?
Must be RODI, or you’re going to constantly have this issue.

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome, glad you are here! You can dip the zoas and shells in 1/4 3%hydrogen peroxide and 3/4 aquarium water for 7-8 minutes. Rinse and return to the aquarium and in a couple of days the gha will be gone. Make sure it’s 3%.

 

[NJHC]

Welcome, glad you are here! You can dip the zoas and shells in 1/4 3%hydrogen peroxide and 3/4 aquarium water for 7-8 minutes. Rinse and return to the aquarium and in a couple of days the gha will be gone. Make sure it’s 3%.

I also used to dose my tank a little bit of hydrogen peroxide. There’s a specific amount per gallon, but that definitely did help get rid of algae old-school trick still works.